Everything is beautiful in the world of Mr. Cub

Wednesday

Jul 25, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 25, 2007 at 3:58 AM

Ernie Banks, 76, accentuates the positive at O'Brien Field

Dave Reynolds

PEORIA — In Ernie Banks’ world, there are no cloudy days.

The 76-year-old Mr. Cub, who visited O’Brien Field on Tuesday night, still possesses the perpetually sunny disposition he brought to the ballpark for his 19-year Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame career, which ended in 1971.

"This is a beautiful ballpark and a beautiful day," he said during a pre-game news conference. "Let’s play two!"

That, of course, was Banks’ signature line, born at the end of a brutally hot 1950s July game in the Wrigley Field clubhouse as his exhausted teammates eyed him angrily. Ernie didn’t notice.

"I’ve been very fortunate in my life to spend (a career) with one organization, one city, one mayor, one owner and one park," he said. "I’m the only professional athlete to have done that."

In the non-Ernie world, he also played more games (2,528) than any major-leaguer in history without reaching the postseason.

"We haven’t won the World Series since 1908," he said. "That’s not a long time, is it? We could win this year. How would you like to see a World Series at Wrigley Field? It could be this year. I’m not a prophet, but it could be. Many teams in our division aren’t playing that well."

Ask Banks about any topic and he’ll offer a positive spin.

On Peoria: "I used to come down here all the time and watch the Caterpillar basketball games. Bob Michel’s a good friend of mine. So is Pete Vonachen. You all have produced a lot of talent for the Cubs, Greg Maddux, Mark Grace. You all give inspiration to players to rise to the top."

On Barry Bonds: "He’s just a wonderful player, a remarkable athlete. I talked to Hank (Aaron) today and said, ’You’d better move out of the way, there’s going to be a new home run king soon.’ He said, ’Oh, that’s OK.’ This is a huge record (Bonds) is going for. It’ll be a big thing for baseball. I like him a lot."

On how many homers Banks would hit today: "I’d hit a lot less. The pitchers today can throw the ball hard and they’re pretty hard to hit. You gotta be real quick, have a different swing. I had a big loop in my swing when I came up."

On becoming part of a new Cubs ownership: "I think about two things now — owning the Cubs and winning a Nobel Peace Prize. We could change the name of Wrigley Field to Banks Field. You all think I’m dreaming, but my life has always been a breed apart."

That’s what a great attitude and some pretty fair talent will do.

Banks, an O’Brien Field guest of Merrill Lynch, conducted a pre-game on-field interview Tuesday with Chiefs broadcaster Nathan Baliva, signed some autographs and then sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the seventh-inning stretch.

For the record, Banks hit 512 home runs, 277 as a shortstop — a National League record. The 14-time All-Star won the NL Most Valuable Player Award twice and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

"I’ve had a joyous life," he said.

And then came this gem, ever hopeful of a Cubs World Series: "Take a journey with Ernie and have a ball in the fall."

Journal Star sports reporter Dave Reynolds can be reached at 686-3210
or dreynolds@pjstar.com.